INRI
Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum
- Known today as
- The initials of the title Pilate set over the cross, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,” written, the Gospel says, in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
- Kind
- Sacramental
INRI: what was it used for?
Carried on crucifixes and on protective crosses, and included in written blessings and charms.
INRI: what does modern science say?
Still set on crucifixes.
INRI: what lore surrounds it?
A board held to be part of the title itself is kept as a relic at Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome.
In Their Own Words
In the Authorised Version of St John's Gospel, Pilate writes the title 'Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews' and puts it on the cross, written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin.
“19:19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. 19:20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.”
The King James Version of the Bible, John 19:19-20. Project Gutenberg eBook #10. The text, read in part
Cabrol, relating Etheria's account of the Good Friday veneration at Jerusalem, says the reliquary was opened and the wood of the Cross, with the Title, placed on the table.
“The silver-gilt reliquary is brought and opened and the sacred wood of the Cross, with the Title, is placed on the table.”
Fernand Cabrol, The True Cross, The True Cross (on the Peregrinatio Etheriae). The Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908 (New Advent transcription). The text, read in full
Each passage is quoted from the text named, which the press fetched and read, and was checked word for word against a fresh copy of it; the link opens that copy. Passages are given as printed, without the editors’ footnote numbers, and with words broken across lines joined.
Sources
- [21] Herbermann, C. G., et al. (eds.) (1907–1912). The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Online at newadvent.org. Articles: Agnus Dei (H. Thurston); Amulet (M. Hassett); Ash Wednesday (H. Thurston); Bells (H. Thurston); Holy Oils (H. Leclercq); Paschal Candle (H. Thurston); Scapular (J. Hilgers). Read in part · the text read
Verification
- Checked
- October 1, 2026
- Passes
- Every dated or regulatory claim checked by category across the database
- Sources
- 1 cited: 1 read in part.
- Corrections
- None were needed.
What was checked, how, and what was found is set out on the Verification page. A checked source is one whose record was found; it does not make the entry medical advice.
Cite This Entry
Version 1 · first published September 28, 2026
- Chicago
“INRI.” In Materia Medica, edited by B. C. P. Statema. Version 1. The Thinking Press, 2026–. Last modified September 28, 2026. https://thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/inri.
- MLA
“INRI.” Materia Medica, edited by B. C. P. Statema, version 1, The Thinking Press, 28 Sept. 2026, thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/inri. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.
- APA
INRI. (2026, September 28). In B. C. P. Statema (Ed.), Materia medica (Version 1). The Thinking Press. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/inri
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See Also
Nearby in the alphabet
Ipecacuanha (The root of Carapichea ipecacuanha of Brazil) · Indian electuary, greater and lesser (the greater and the lesser) · Iron and steel (given as filings in wine, as its rust, or in chalybeate spring waters) · Indian and Arabian pills (Two named compound pills of the Arabic-Latin tradition) · Isinglass · Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) · Iva (Ajuga iva) · Hungary water (steeped in spirit of wine and distilled)
Historical description, not medical advice.